About us

Get to know us and the inspration behind our vision.

The Beginning of it all…

In a sleepy corner of northern Virginia lays the thriving town of Haymarket, home of Park Valley Church where the first seeds of a mission of hope and help were sown. Although this close congregation was a great source of support for its members and the local community, Pastor Barry White challenged his flock to reach out yet further to find a need and step in to address it. He asked they report back after 30 days and share their stories and experiences. From this simple suggestion blossomed an idea that grew too large to maintain from the church walls, and Serve Our Willing Warriors (SOWW) and eventually, the Warrior Retreat at Bull Run was established.

It began with the founding members visiting recovering soldiers at the Ft Belvoir and Walter Reed hospitals and continued well beyond the 30 day period into annual summer cookouts and holiday gift-giving visits. The gratitude received from these men and women, and the positive response to what they felt was so small an effort made it apparent that their mission was much greater; there was more that could be offered.

On July 19th, 2012 Shirley and John Dominick formally founded Serve Our Willing Warriors, a non-profit 501c3. The group’s goal was to establish a retreat for recovering service members to escape the clinical hospital environment, reconnect with their families, to refresh their minds and renew their spirits.

What They’ve said about us

“Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

Because of your generosity, my wife and I (and daughter for a few nights) were able to enjoy this amazing Warrior Retreat at Bull Run.

The house, its furnishings, the grounds—everything—let us forget all about sickness and treatment and doctors and immerse ourselves in comfort, beauty, and relaxation. The staff here is incredible and treated us with so much respect and compassion that we felt like royalty.

Never could I have imagined a place like this and never did I think I deserved to be treated so nicely, but because of you all of this became a reality. Thank you so much for making this possible.”

Mark R., Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps

“Words are hard to come by that are adequate enough to say thank you for the love you have shown my family. This visit was utterly overwhelming. There is something about this place that is almost magical.

Being a man of faith, I don’t really believe in magic. I believe in God; I believe that He has a healing hand in what goes on here. This place was meant to be here. Those who donate their time & talents were meant to be here. God brought all of these elements together to create a blessed experience for Willing Warriors. We will cherish the days spent here at the retreat for years to come.

Please continue to do this for other warriors. Thank you so much!”

Greg C., Spouse of a Wounded Warrior

”This experience was more than the people, the place, and activities… it has become a family, a home, and a place of healing! This stay has allowed us to recharge from the daily stressors of recovery while enjoying the comforts of home – enjoying a cup of coffee on the front porch, taking a nap on the couch, and preparing a meal in the kitchen.

“I haven’t been able to go to the shooting range since my injury (in Afghanistan). Frank took the time to help me through the process… Being able to shoot again was so critical to my healing.”

(Frank is a founding member of SEAL Team 6 and Captain Reer’s instructor at the range)

“My stay here was pivotal in my therapy. I will recommend this (Retreat) to Warriors in transition & their families.”

Theresa R., Captain, U.S. Army (Ret.)

“I have been a keeper of the light, defender of freedom, and gave my utmost to do my part; I did all I could do. Both my knee ACLs are torn, both shoulders have tears, my ankle has nerve damage. My hearing is shot. I have severe PTSD and depression from losing so many friends that I was blessed to serve with.

My family and I really enjoyed being able to take a knee and to be able to rest and relax. It took us away from the hospital and the 3-5 appointments a day environment. We could relax and watch the morning fog on the mountains. Thank you so much it was really great to just unwind and relax with my family.”

Will S., Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army (Ret.)

“I do want to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts for providing this time and these memories for our family.

Two years ago my husband was diagnosed with stage 3 esophageal cancer. We’ve done chemo, radiation, and surgery in hopes to cure it. It came back as stage four all over. Doc says it’s now incurable and we are just trying to slow it down. I am hoping and praying God has other plans. Anyway, we have about four days a week we are at the hospital from 3-8 hours a day.

This retreat was a much-needed break. Just last week, before we came I was telling my husband that I’m about burned out. This has given me and him a second wind. Also, that time at the hospital is time away from our kids, so that is another blessing of being here.

Thank you for the memories.” With Love,

April A, Spouse of Scott A., Sergeant, U.S. Army May 18, 2016.

EPILOGUE

Scott passed away at his home surrounded by his loving family on November 26th, 2016.